Dance offers a treasure trove of benefits for children, going far beyond just learning cool moves. It's a fantastic way to boost their physical health, with improved coordination, flexibility, and stamina. But dance also works its magic on their social and emotional well-being. Through following routines and collaborating with others, children develop teamwork, discipline, and self-confidence. The joy of self-expression and creative interpretation of music fosters a sense of accomplishment and individuality. In short, dance allows children to blossom not only as dancers, but as well-rounded individuals. Located in Howard County, Maryland outside of Columbia and Ellicott City, we’re here to help your littles expand their love for dance!
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Parent-Assisted
Ages 18 Months-2 Years
Does your toddler have a natural interest in moving and dancing? Dance, sing and play with your little one during this engaging half hour class! This 30-minute class is an excellent introduction to dance, incorporating creative movement and promoting body awareness and coordination. Through the use of props, games and songs, your child will be encouraged to explore their creativity all in the comfort having you in class with them. 1 adult/child.
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Tooty Tots
Ages 2-3
This 30 minute class inspires creativity, teaches coordination, musicality, and introduces the fundamentals of ballet, while incorporating creative movement and tumbling. Students will develop strength, dance technique, rhythm, and body awareness in a caring, nurturing environment. This class is an excellent way for children to gain self-confidence, listening and learning skills preparing them for the next step in their dance training!
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Tiny Dancers
Ages 3–4
Tiny Dancers is a 45 minute ballet, tap and tumbling combination class. This fun and exciting class inspires creativity, teaches coordination, musicality, and the fundamentals of ballet, tap and tumbling. Students will develop coordination, strength, dance technique, rhythm, and body awareness in a caring, nurturing environment. This class is an excellent way for children to gain self-confidence, listening and learning skills and a sense of accomplishment.
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Hippity Hop
Ages 3-4
Toddler hip hop class at 1-hour in length. This fun class inspires creativity and teaches the fundamentals hip hop. Students will develop coordination, strength, dance technique, rhythm, and body awareness in a caring, exciting, nurturing environment. This class is an excellent way for children to be introduced to the many benefits of the performing arts.
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Tot Hop
Ages 3–4
Tot Hop is a 45-minute ballet and hip hop combination class. This exciting class inspires creativity, teaches coordination and the fundamentals of ballet and hip hop. Students will develop coordination, strength, dance technique, rhythm, and body awareness in a caring, nurturing environment. This class is an excellent way for children to gain self-confidence, listening and learning skills and a sense of accomplishment while being introduced to the many benefits of the performing arts.
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Twinkle Toes
Ages 4-5 & 5-7
Twinkle Toes is also a 1-hour ballet, tap and jazz combination class! This fun and exciting class inspires creativity and teaches the fundamentals of ballet, tap and jazz. Students will develop musicality, coordination, strength, flexibility, dance technique, rhythm, and body awareness in a caring, nurturing environment. This class is an excellent way for children to be introduced to the many benefits of the performing arts, gain self-confidence and a sense of accomplishment.
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Ballet
Ages 3-5 and 6+
Beginning level classes focus on the basics of ballet including proper placement and posture; body positions, plies, tendus, battements, and port de bras. Emphasis will be placed on understanding technique, as well as instilling an appreciation and enjoyment of the movement. Advanced levels are a continual study of fundamentals, extended to emotional expression and precision, as well as developing fluid artistic control. Ballet is the basis of all other dance forms and can strongly enhance any athletic activity. We strongly encourage that ballet be taken in conjunction with any other dance class.
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Dance Acro
Ages 3-6 and 6+
Dance acro is a fun and energetic activity that combines elements of dance with acrobatics. Think flips, jumps, and balances woven into a captivating dance routine. It's a great fit for energetic kids who want to develop more than just their dancing skills. Enrolling your child in a class can boost their strength, flexibility, and coordination, all while building their confidence and self-expression. They'll learn to conquer new challenges and celebrate their achievements in a supportive environment.
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Hip Hop
Ages 3-6 and 6+
The hottest and latest dance steps, style, funk and street moves. Learn the latest dance moves from the east coast to the west coast, high energy, street grove and razor sharp action choreography. Great for fun, dance teams, dance technique and exercise and also Hip hop is a great way for kids to burn off steam, build confidence, and make new friends in a positive and upbeat atmosphere.
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Jazz/Contemporary
Ages 3-6 and 6+
Learn the world’s cutting edge of new moves, as well as performance dynamics. All jazz classes will have a strong foundation in ballet with an emphasis on correct body alignment and technique. All classes focus on turns, jumps, leaps, increased flexibility, strength and an overall development of style. These classes are a must for all dancers, dance teams, musical theatre and pompom enthusiasts. Contemporary is a mix of Ballet, Jazz and Lyrical technique.
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Musical Theatre
Ages 3-6 and 6+
Does your child dream of dancing on Broadway? Students will learn the dance technique and acting involved for dancing in a musical! Your child will dance to their favorite songs from musicals such as “Annie,” “High School Musical,” “Lion King” and “Wicked.” This class is perfect for dancers, actors, as well as students who aspire to join a show choir or drama club.
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Tap
Ages
Beginning level classes focus on learning basic rhythm patterns starting with simple combinations that include shuffles, flaps, stomps, riffs, pullbacks, etc. Advanced levels combine these in more complex rhythm and mixed meter combinations enabling students to slide easily between the styles of such performers as Fred Astaire, Bill “Bo Jangles” Robinson, Gene Kelly, Honi Coles and Savion Glover. All levels emphasize clarity of rhythm and sound, and the development of style through the use of the whole body.
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Turns and Progressions
Ages 3-6 and 6+
This class breaks down and digs deeper into the fundamentals of turning and technical sequencing of moves along with combining turns and tricks. Dancers will work on a variety of turns, leaps, turning leaps and other technique based skills. We highly recommend taking this in conjunction with Ballet (and Jazz if possible). This is a wonderful class for dancers interested in brushing up on their skills prior joining their High School Dance Team!
Our Policies
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Tuition is charged per session. The cost of the session will be dependent on the number of weeks in the session. Drop in classes are available.
There is an annual registration fee of $50/ dancer
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Honesty and integrity are expected.
Dancers must participate within Mankato Ballet Company rules and respect all the teachers/staff/volunteers and their decisions.
Dancers must respect their fellow dancers.
Dancers must not distract, bully or harass other dancers.
Dancers must be polite and display good manners at all times.
Dancers must refrain from cursing, using offensive racial or obscene speech, gestures or written materials.
Dancers must refrain from talking back to adults or refusing to comply with reasonable requests.
Dancers must refrain from physical, mental, emotional or cyber bullying other dancers, staff, or instructors. This includes social media postings referencing directly or indirectly to a student, staff, studio brand, and/or affiliations to the studio.
Dancers and company members are the face of Your Journey and should conduct themselves in a manner that reflects positively on the organization.
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Honesty and integrity are expected.
Parents are encouraged to support their child’s/children’s involvement and help them enjoy the art of dance.
Parents must demonstrate respect for faculty and staff at all times.
Parents must not raise issues of disagreement publicly.
Parents will not engage in inappropriate conduct towards instructors, staff, other dancers and families.
Parents must discourage challenging and inappropriate conduct towards instructors, staff, other dancers and families.
Parents will refrain from physical, mental, emotional or cyber-bullying other dancers, staff, instructors or families. This includes social media postings referencing directly or indirectly to a student, staff, families, studio brand, and/or affiliations to the studio.
Parents must remember that children participate in dance for their own enjoyment.
Parents will teach their children respect for other students, teachers and adults and lead by example.
Parents will encourage and guide their child to accept responsibility for his/her own performance and behavior.
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All our published classes are subject to a 5 student minimum. If fewer that that are enrolled the class is subject to cancellation and you will be notified of alternative class options for your dancer.
Refunds are not given for missed classes, but Make-Up classes may be taken within two weeks of the absence, if a similar class is offered with space available.
Refund Policy: TUITION IS NON-REFUNDABLE.
Notifications: We send special notices and newsletters through email from yourjourneygym@gmail.com PLEASE ADD THIS EMAIL ADDRESS TO YOUR CONTACT LIST TO ENSURE THEY ARE NOT SENT TO YOUR JUNK FOLDER. We also post announcements on the bulletin board and maintain a binder of all email notices and class handouts for those without email at the front desk.
Class Placement: All classes are observed for the first several weeks to confirm that students have been placed in the proper class levels. Instructors will advise students and parents if a student should be moved to a different level.
Throughout the year, students moving at a faster pace will be encouraged to move to the next level. Our class levels are not strictly equivalent to school grades, so students may advance more quickly or slowly depending on skill level.
Snow or Bad Weather: The studio does not necessarily close for snow days, even if area schools are closed. Check our website, Facebook, or contact the studio to see if there is a weather cancellation on afternoon classes.
If a student misses class because the studio is closed for snow, he or she may make up that class by attending any other scheduled class within the next 5 weeks. Make-up classes for snow day cancellations are not required.
Classes begin and end promptly as scheduled. Dancers should be dressed and ready for class on time. Students are encouraged to arrive early for class so they can be ready when class begins.
No gum, food, or beverages are permitted in the studios or dressing rooms.
It is our goal to offer students quality class instruction time and take all possible steps to maintain order while providing a positive learning experience. Disruptive students will be asked to “take a time out” in the waiting room or studio area. This decision is made only by the class instructor. Discipline problems are discussed with the student and/or parent and appropriate steps are taken to benefit the entire class.
Siblings may not be left without parent supervision while other children are in class.
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Parent-Assisted, all Hip Hop and Cultural Fusion: t-shirt or tank top, shorts, leggings, pants (no jeans), sneakers
Gymnastics: Close-fitting shorts or leggings and t-shirt (nothing that is baggy)Preschool: pink tights, leotard/skirt, pink ballet slippers, black Mary Jane buckle tap shoes
5-10 yr old Ballet: 5-7: any color leotard/8-10: black leotard; pink tights, pink ballet slippers, hair in a bun
5-10 yr old Jazz/Tap: leotard, shorts or leggings, tan slip on jazz shoes, black Mary Jane buckle tap shoes
NOTE: DANCERS MUST HAVE HAIR TIED UP OFF THE NECK FOR ALL CLASSES. PLEASE BRING A WATER BOTTLE TO CLASS.
Note on shoe requirements: The shoes noted are the shoes required for classes and performances. Please make every effort to have the proper shoes within 2 weeks of starting classes.
We suggest dancers bring a small dance bag into the dance studio, so tap/ballet shoes can be stored out of the way and aren’t misplaced when changing from style to style.
We recommend buying dance shoes and attire at:
Footlights Dance & Theater Boutique (Frederick or Silver Spring)
Discount Dance (online)
Artistic Dance Fashions (Towson)
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Our end-of-the-year program is held in June. Dress rehearsal is held the day before the first performance and attendance at dress rehearsal is mandatory for all performers.
Participation in recital is optional. Any students wishing to participate in a recital piece must be enrolled in classes by Jan 1st (costume-ordering time). Regular class attendance is required for recital participation.
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Costumes are required for recital. Dancers will be measured in class in December with costume fees due in full by Jan 1st (unless otherwise specified). The price will vary. Costume fees are non-refundable, non-transferable, and Costumes are non-returnable. Costumes typically are received in early Spring and dancers try them on in class. Parents/guardians are responsible for ensuring costumes fit their child and have 10 days to notify us if a replacement or exchange is required. Alterations are the responsibility of the parent/guardian.
Have a Question about Howard County Dance Classes?
We’re happy to help! Please call us at 240-394-6311 or fill out the form.